The city of Salento was officially founded on January 5, 1842.
Covering an area of greater than 440,000 square kilometers, the South American country of Colombia offers visitors a very diverse landscape of pristine beaches, vast plains and plush rainforests. However, those that need to explore the great thing about the Andes shall be hard-pressed to seek out a greater destination than Quindío. A major a part of Colombia’s Coffee Triangle, this green department is home to historic settlements, vast nature reserves and – perhaps most notably – the Cocora Valley, a famous natural feature that has served as inspiration for parts of Disney’s charm. When planning your next trip to South America, you should definitely add a couple of days to your itinerary to explore Quindío, one among Colombia’s hottest mountain towns.
Discover Quindío’s bustling capital
Armenia can be called “Ciudad Milagro” or “Miracle City” in English.
Colombia’s El Edén International Airport is the right place to begin for a visit through the Coffee Triangle. And as a bonus, the nearby city of Armenia offers a wealth of world-class attractions for newcomers to explore. While visiting, guests can make the most of the town’s many cafes, with destinations equivalent to Café Quindío Gourmet and La Ceiba Café, each of which showcase Quindío’s agricultural prowess in coffee. Further north, history buffs will find a very fascinating destination in the shape of the Quimbaya Gold Museuma prestigious institution that highlights the long history of the encircling region’s indigenous groups and exhibits gilded statues, ancient ceramics and a garden filled with native species.
If you favor idyllic countryside, you’ll discover quite a few charming hotels outside the town limits. The Heritage serves as a top spot for a soothing getaway. Set on a sprawling estate north of Quindío’s essential airport, this idyllic property offers guests five different homes to book, each equipped with large outdoor pools and sprawling gardens that attract all types of native natural world. While the property is ideal for relaxing throughout the day, nature lovers should rise up early to scour the property for native wildlife, as colourful birds just like the Thick-billed Euphonia, Western Emeraldbird, and Green Honeycreeper might all make an appearance.
Discover the historic charm of Filandia
The name Filandia is a mixture of the Latin words “fila” and “andia”, which roughly means … [+]
Just 45 minutes north of Armenia, the picturesque town of Filandia is a significant draw for international and domestic tourists, offering visitors a wealth of colourful street-side shops, bars and restaurants. After strolling down Calle del Tiempo Detenido looking for handcrafted souvenirs, guests arrive on the town’s essential square, an idyllic gathering place that’s home to the towering Iglesia María Inmaculada—and by chance, one among the municipality’s most interesting cultural sites is just steps away. A visit to the “Del Bejuco al Canasto” Interpretation Center“, visitors gain insight into Quindío’s long tradition of basket weaving and have the possibility to view intricate vessels which have been used to move coffee beans for a long time. You may even try your hand at making your personal basket to take home.
While downtown Filandia is ideal for delving deep into the local Quindío culture, those seeking to discover the department’s natural beauty can head north and take a hike through the Barbas Bremen Nature Reserve. In addition to boasting towering trees and colourful butterflies, this lush park also draws visitors because of its many red howler monkeys, while lucky birdwatchers may catch a glimpse of the Cauca Gua, a turkey-sized animal endemic to the encircling region. After an extended hike through the reserve, guests can reward themselves with a visit to Helena Adentroa colourful eatery in downtown Filandia that gives hearty Colombian cuisine, from chorizo tacos to smoked chicken gyros.
Admire the towering palm trees within the Cocora Valley
The Quindío wax palm was declared the national tree of Colombia in 1985.
In northeastern Quindío, Colombia’s Cocora Valley has gained national recognition for its spectacular beauty – and for anyone visiting this natural wonder, Salento is the right stopover. Founded in 1842, this quiet community has turn out to be a premier tourist destination lately. Visitors flock here to buy colourful souvenirs and luxuriate in a well-earned beverage after exploring the valley. For coffee lovers: Café Jesus Martin is a must-visit because of its cozy interior and quality drinks, while those that enterprise north shall be richly rewarded with magnificent views from the Mirador de Salento – and to sweeten the deal, neighboring Restaurante María Ocampo’s offers the right spot to enjoy a craft beer on the outdoor terrace.
If you enterprise east, stop at Restaurante Donde Laurita Campestre—an idyllic open-air eatery that makes top-notch bandeja paisa—before taking within the splendor of Quindío’s Cocora Valley. This natural wonder is full of green hills and colourful birdlife, however it’s most famous for its high density of Quindío wax palms, a towering plant that is considered Colombia’s national tree. Upon arrival, guests can stroll the valley’s many mountain climbing trails, with ample opportunities to rise up close and private with the palms, in addition to the native yellow-eared parrots that nest on their branches.
